Shoalhaven Councillor breached code of conduct

Shoalhaven Councillor and former Deputy Mayor Andrew Guile has been found to have breached the Council's code of conduct, by improperly claiming travel expenses.

A report into the matter says Councillor Guile claimed expenses for trips in his private vehicle that weren't related to council business.

It's recommended that Mr Guile be counselled about his obligations under the code of conduct and that the policy relating to travel expenses be reviewed and clarified.

The report also concludes the breach was due to carelessness and not dishonesty.

Andrew Guile says he wasn't aware that he was breaching the code and he's already repaid more than the illegitimate claims are worth.

"I've already refunded $2930 to council. That's basically looking at a particular pattern of travel that's in excess of what I would have done, at a higher rate than what I would have done that travel at," he said.

"Instead of a proportion of that I've just decided I'm going to refund all of that, to dispel any idea that I have received a private benefit."

Mr Guile says the complaint was made and exaggerated by his political enemies.

"They do have an agenda. I've had complaints from every direction and this is just one of those few times where an administrative issue or carelessness on my part means that I've got to cop a public report like this," he stated.

The newly elected council will decide how to deal with the issue at its first meeting on Tuesday night.